Excavating machinery



Aug. 19, 1930. w. MJBA ER ET AL 1,773,252

EXCAVA'IING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII W150? M 509 Wemer Zeb INVENT0R5 2 A TTORNEYSAug. 1371936; w. M BAGER ET AL 1,773,252

EXGAVATING MACHINERY Filed Jam 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M'Zliam/ ifiayerFer/10265117011. INVENTORS ATTORNEY-S Aug. T9; 193 6? w. M. BAGER ET ALV 17 3 EXCAVATING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I WernerZehflcm. 3 INVENTORS Patented Aug. 19, 1930 UNITED j STATES PATENTOFFICE WILLIAM. M. Briana AND WERNER LEHMAN, 0F sou'rrr MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN, Assreuons TO BUCYRUS-ERIE COMPANY, on scorn MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN, A con- PORATION OF DELAWARE EXCAVATING MACHINERY Applicationfiled January 4, 1926. Serial No. 79,162.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in excavatingmachinery, particularly of the types known as .revolving power-shovels,and more particularly of that type of revolving power-shovel designedprimarily for mining-work, as that work is of a nature to necessitate anunusually compact, sturdy and mobile construction.

It is one object of our invention to provide a novel and strong type ofroller track. Heretofore two methods of constructing this track havebeen used, both of which have inherent defects. One of these methodsuses as track a machined face on the base casting. As the base in itsentirety must be cast of one metal, the dilemma is presented of makingthe whole casting of metal hard enough to provide a proper track face,with consequent difficulty of machining. or of making the whole castingof ductile metal in which case the track face wears excessively. Thisscheme precludes easy replacement of wearing surfaces. The second methodis to mount a curved rail upon the base casting. This is subject to thedefect that the web of the rail,

being fatigued by excessive strain and shock,

will crack and break after relatively short use. We have avoided bothclasses of defects by machining a circular groove in both the upper andlower frames, which are both of the softer metal usuallyemployed, andthen spot-welding or otherwise securing in each of these grooves amachined ring of harder metal to furnish a bearing for the rollers. Suchsecuring of the ring permits replacement without affecting the largebase and frame castings and involves a minimum of expense and labor.

Our revolving frame is made of two castings rigidly pin-connectedtogether, the line of division being transverse of the frame. While thisframe could be cast in one piece, it would tax shop facilities tomachine such a large member. We have thus provided a construction nextbest to a unitary casting,

and much superior to the usual trussed structure consisting of two sidebeams and a number of cross beams, all connected by a multiplicity ofbolts which are likely to work loose,

thereby causing loss of time for constant overhauling.

One ob ect of our division of the revolvmg frame into-two castings is tosupply an interchangeable rear end for this frame. According as thepower to actuate the prime mover is steam, gasoline, electric or otherpower, certain radical changes, besides that of the prime mover itself,become necessary. It is obvious, for instance, that a steam boiler,requiring ash pit, bunker space, etc., necessitates a different basethan an electric, gasoline or Diesel motor. In order to avoid the changeof the whole revolving base, we have Dlaced the power-generating plantand its more immediate accessories upon the rearportion of the frame,keeping the machinery elements which are independent of the character ofthe source of power on the forward, permanent portion. This rear portionis pinconnected to the forward portion. This division of the revolvingframe also allows the possibility of shipping this frame in two pieces,in case it is inconvenient or impossible to ship it as a unit.

A further object of our invention is to provide a novel form of creepingtraction mounting. The advantages of the approved form of mounting inuse up to the present are set forth in Letters Patent No. 1,485,945,issued March 4, 1925, to the first named of the applicants in thispresent case, wherein Figare 6 shows the cantilever brackets usually,

' ever, as the excavator is increased in size, the

difiiculties encountered will begin to offset the advantages. The basebecomes unwieldy,

too large for shipment with rollers and tumblers in place, and subjectto excessive strain on the cantilever brackets. By assembling ourcreeping traction unit upon stubaxles rigidly attached to a side frame,which side frame is rigidly attached to the main base, we haveeliminated the disadvantages enumerated above. It is therefore possiblefor us to ship each traction unit completely assembled, therebyretaining all the advantages set forth in the said patent.

It is to be noted that our construction of the creepifig traction unitand our method of mounting it, allow easy access to all parts of theunit without demounting or disassemblin z I e have furthermorefprovidedanovel lock or brake-for the creeping traction units,

that is easily placed in or out of action and which when in use,effectively prevents the I to provide a combined wabbler and clutchdisconnectably joining the propelling machinery to the power source.

Other advantages of our new and 1mproved excavating machinery will beevident to those skilled in the art, and need not be herein morespecifically set forth.

The invention consists in the novel parts, and in'the combinations andarrangements thereof, which are defined in the appended claims; and ofwhich one embodiment is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, whichare hereinafter particularly described and. explained.

Throughout the description the same reference number is applied'to thesame member or to similar members.

Figure 1 is a more or less conventionalized side elevation of the entireexcavator, illustrating however in sufficient detail the rearendconstuction claimed.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the base and of thecreeping tractionmounting, the right half of the drawing beingpartly in section.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of one creeping traction unit (partconventionalized), of the base, and of the front part of the revolvingframe, the front portion being in section to illustrate the rollers androller-tracks.

Figure 4 is a detailed vertical, longitudinal section along the line 4-4in Figure 2.

' Figure 5 is an enlarged view of that portion of Figure 3 which showsthe roller and roller-tracks in section.

Figure. 6 shows an alternative form for the take-up device shown inFigure 4.

Figure 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, of two clutchmembers, showing the key or chock in position to lock the traction unitagainst movement. 0

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that 1 represents the mainbase casting of a turntable, revolvably mounted on casting 2, which inturn is supported on two creepingtraction units, one of which is shownconventionally as 3 in Figure 1.

Casting 1 carries the hoist WlIlCh 4, the swing machinery 5, the A-frame6 and the boom 7. The boom is supported from the which rests on and isbolted to the flat, upper preferably welded in place.

A-frame by back-braces 8. A dipper 9 mounted on handles 10, is arrangedto swing about, and reciprocate with respect to, a pivot11 on the boom;the swinging of the "dipper being accomplished by the hoist-cable 12,which passes overthe boom-point sheave 13, andis actuated by the winch4; and the reciprocating being accomplished by the boomengine 14, actingin the usual manner, which need not be more particularly described.

All the foregoing is common to many types of power-shovels, and is moreor less conventionally. shown in Figure 1.

Casting 1 carries at each side, at the rear thereof, two lugs 15, bymeans of which is attached and supported the rear-end casting 16, whichcarries the steam boiler 17 and its appurtenances. Braces l8 connectthe'A- frame 6 to the rear-end casting, but do not contribute, exceptincidentally, to the support of the rear-end casting.

Turning now to Figure 3, we find mounted on casting 2, a circularrack-member 19, hav- 1ng an internally-projecting annular web 20,

portion 21 of the casting 2. Projecting downwardly through the castng 1,is a vertical swing shaft 22, having at 1ts top end a bevel-gear 23,driven by the swlng-machinery 5, and at its lower end a pinion 24,engaging the rack 19 for revolving the turntable. A

In the bottom surface of casting 1 is machined an annular groove 25, inwhich is inserted a wear-resisting ring 26, which is A similar ring 27is inserted in a similar groove 28 in the web 20 of the rack 19.

The ring 26 travels on a series of rollers 29 which in turn travel onring 27. The rollers are spaced apart from each other by innerroller-ring 30 and outer roller-ring 31.

This construction constitutes a great improvcment over the currentpractice of machining the roller paths on the non-wear-resisting metalof the casting l and the web 20.

A detailed cross-section of the grooves 25 and 28, the rings 26 and 27and the rollers 29 is shown in Figure 5, on the same sheet with Figure3.

Referring to Figure 2, and more particularly to the right hand portion,it is seen that the rollers 32 are rotatably mounted on stubshafts 33,said stub-shafts being rigidly mounted in the side-frame 34 of thecreeping traction unit. This side-frame 34 bears integral therewith anupper plate 35. Upon this upper plate there rests, being bolted theretoby bolts 36, the lower plate 37 of the casting shown as 2 in Figure 1.The upper portion of casting 2 is the beforementioned fiat portion 21,(as shown in Figures 1 and 5,) upon which rests the annular web 20 0fthe rack member 19. Figure 2 shows the radial members 38 which connectthe outer portions of casting 2, with the central bearing sleeve 38. Theupper portion 21 and the lowor portion 37 of this casting are connectedby webs 39.

The non-driving tumbler 40 is rotatably carried on the cylindrical endof the square load-supporting non-rotatable stub-axle 41, which axleprojects inwardly from the side frame 34 a relatively small distance,its end the abutting ends of 41 and 42 are inserted and to which bothare bolted. Or the element 42 may itself constitute such a sleeve, beingsocketed at its ends for the reception of the end of the stub-axle 41.

The stub-axle 41 is movable longitudinally with respect to the creepingtraction unit, by means of the yoke 43 and the take-up bolts 44. Thisconstructlon, which is shown in detail in Figure 4, is for the purposeof providing an efficient means for keeping the tractionbelt taut, bymeans of the nuts 45. An alternative form of this take-up device isshown in Figure 6, the bolt-holes being made of substantially largersize than the bolts 44, in order that the thread of the bolts shall notbe worn by contact with the sides of the boltholes, and the nuts 45being provided with a cylindrical guide-collar 45 which projects intothe bolt-hole for the purpose of centering the bolt in the hole.

When the beam 42 is removed, the stubaxle 41 is held only by two boltswhich are disposed in a vertical plane longitudinal to the tractionunit,andis therefore capable of some amount of horizontal rotation. Assuch rotation would loosen the tread-belt and thus make trouble inshipment, the stub-axle 41 is in that case secured in position by theinsertion of temporary chocks (not shown).

Power for moving the excavator is conveyed from the machinery shown inFigure 1 through the rotation of the vertical shaft (not shown) which iscentral to the frame 2 and to the rack 19. The lower end of this shaftcarries rigidly mounted thereon a bevel pinion (not shown) which mesheswith the bevel gear 46. This bevel gear is rigidly mounted on a shaft47, which bears a bevel inion 48 rigidly mountedon, its other end.eshing with the pinion 48 is a bevel gear 49 mounted on the drive-shaft50. This driveshaft- 50 is rotatably carried in two bearings 51, 51,which are rigidly mounted on the lower frame 2, and are widely separatedin order to provide a rigid and true alignment of said shaft 50. Eachend of said shaft 50 bears non-rotatably mounted thereon an inner maleclutch member 52, aligned with a similar outer male clutch member 53which latter is rigidly mounted on a stub-shaft 54. This stub-shaft isrotatably held in relatively widely separated bearings 55, 55, which arerigidly borne by the side frames 34, and therefore hold the stub-shaftin true alignment with the drive shaft 50.

Slidable, so as to engage only with the outer male clutch member 53, orto engage both male clutch members 52 and 53 is a female clutch member,or clutch rin 56, which serves the double purpose of web ler clutch andcoupling. This clutch ring-56 is actuated in any convenientmanner.

Between the two bearings 55, 55, the shaft 54 is squared and carries apinion 57, which .meshes with a gear 58. Said gear 58 is carlied on asquared portion of the drlving axle 59. The driving'axle is journaled inbear-.

ings 60, rigidly carried by the creeping trac tion side frame 34, andcarries at its outer end, which is also squared, the driving tumbler61., by means of which the tread-belt 62, which surrounds the tumblers40 and 61 and the rollers 32, is driven.

Havingnow described the method of conveying the power from the primemover to each tread belt,'it will be seen that, according as the clutchring 56 on either side engages only the inner male clutch member 52, orengages both male clutch members 52 and 53, the tread-belt on that sidewill idle or will be driven.

A removable gear cover 63, shown at the left in Figure 2, is bolted overthe bearings and pinions on stub-shaft 54 and on tumbler shaft 59. Thegear case carries a projection 64 which is sufficiently elevated abovethe outer clutch member 53 to allow free sliding of the clutch-ring 56to all its required positions. This projection is provided with avertically elongated socket of rectangular horizontal cross-section,which serves as a key-way. A key or chock, as shown in Figure 7, or anyconvenient substitute, whose cross-section is similar to that of thesaid socket, is provided for insertion into the socket; the lower end ofsaid key being of the proper size and shape to fit into the groovesbetween the teeth of the outer male clutch member 53. This key mayconveniently be connected by a chain to some adjacent portion of thestructure- When inserted into .the socket and into a groove of theclutch ing machinery, we wish to be understood as i not limitinourselves to the particular form exem lifie but rather as availingourselves of al equivalents.

Claims to the turntable ring feature shown in this applicationareincluded in our copfnding application, Serial No. 17 7,396, filedfiled March 22, 1

' combination of: a

arch 22, 1927.

Claimsto the two-part cast base feature shown in this a plication areincluded in our copending applicgt azi'on, Serial No. 177,397,

Claims to the creeping-traction belt takeu feature shown in thisapplication are inc uded in our co nding agplication, Serial No. 30,552,filed fl 15, 19 5.

We claim:

1. In a machine of combination of: a base; a mounted thereon; tractionunits sup ower-source two remova le creepingframes, one in eac tractionumt; stubsax es 'rigldly mounted on,

g and projecting outwardly from, the frame of each traction unit;load-sup orting rollers, one journalled'on each stu -axle of eachtraction unit; two non-rotatable axles, one in each traction unit, eachsuch axle bein mounted'for longitudinal adjustment witE respect to theframe of its traction unit; two non-driv'n tumblers, one mounted on thenon-rotata le axle of each traction unit; two driving axles, one mountedin each traction unit; two driving tumblers, one mounted on each drivinaxle; two gear reductions, one being for each drivmg, axle; twocompletely disconnectible means, one drivably connecting eachgearreduction to the power source on the main frame; two creepintraction tread-belts, one 'dlSEOSQd around t e tumblers and rollers ofeac traction unit; and disconnectible means holding the twonon-rotatable axles 1n rigid relation to each other.

described, the

2. In a machine of the class base; a power-source mounted thereon; andtwo self-contained cree ing-traction units rigidly supporting the ase,and readily removable therefrom as an intact unit; each unit beingcomprised as follows, namely: a rigid frame; stub-axles thereon,projecting outwardly beyond said frame; a load-supporting roller'journalled on each stub-axle; aload-supporting axle adjustablelongitudinally axle; a driving axle; a driving-tumbler mounted on saiddriving-axle; means drivably connecting said driving-axle to thepower-source on the main frame; and a cree ing-traction tread-beltdisposed around said tumblers and rollers.

'3. In a machine of the class described, the I combination of: a base; apower-source mounted thereon; a plurality, of removablecreeping-traction units rigidly supporting the base; a shaft mounted onsaid base and the class described, th

rting the base; two ri id of said frame; a'

driven by said power-source; a shaft mounted on one of saldcreeping-traction units and driving said unit; and a clutch, two membersof which are respectively carried by said shafts; said members beingheld in operative relation to each other by the ri 'dity of the relationbetween the base and t e creepingtraction unit.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of: a base; apower-source mounted thereon; a pluralit of removable cree ing-tractionumts rigi ly su portin the Ease; a shaft mounted on said ase an drivenby said ower-source; a shaft mounted on one of sai creeping-tractionunits and driving said unit; and a clutch, consisting of two members ofone sexand one member of the other sex, the two members of the same sexbeing respectively carried by said shafts, and the one member of theother sex servin as a wabbler driving connection between said twoshafts. said members being held in 0 'erthe rigi ity ase and the theslidable axle; and means for moving each end of said'yoke independentlyof the other end of said yoke, suc motion being longitudinal of saidbelt and forthe purpose of controlling the. tension in said belt.

6. In a machine of the class described: two load-supporting tumblersboth rotating in one plane; a creeping-traction belt disposed about saidtumblers; an axle for each 0 said tumblers; one axle being held againstmotion longitudinally of said belt, and the other being slidablelongitudinally yoke ivoted on the slidab e axle, one end of said yokebeing above and the other below the slidable axle; and two bolts, onefor moving each end of said yoke independently of the other end of saidyoke, such motion being longitudinal of said belt and for the purpose ofcontrolling the tension in said belt.

'WILLIAM M. BAGER.

WERNER LEHMAN.

of said belt; a

